There was more of Ludo's loud stating of the obvious as a form of ceremony once the Task was finished. He then presented the results of the First Task to the crowd as though they couldn't read the points board themselves.
Harry, being the least endangered, most effective of the three, was naturally in last place. That was thanks largely to Karkaroff, who'd called him 'boring' and given him three out of ten. Madam Maxime gave him a full ten, though Dumbledore also gave him three and a smug grin, as though Harry somehow cared.
As a result, they only had two hours to talk with Langelet due to the staff from the Romanian Dragon Preserve – Padurea Hoia - and their preparations to transport the dragons back to where they lived. They managed to exchange a few words with each of the other dragons as well, but none of them was as intelligent or conversational as Langelet. The Chinese Fireball even less so, as she grieved for the two eggs she'd stepped on by accident.
It was dark as they made their way back to the castle, so Harry took the opportunity to show Hermione how to push her magic into her eyes.
"Oh this is brilliant!" She gasped. "I can see everything!" She looked around until her gaze came to rest on Harry. "You're so beautiful..." She could see him Resonating, like a faint coruscating rainbow beneath his skin that concentrated around his vividly green eyes.
Harry reached down and picked up a rock, transfigured it into a mirror, and handed it to her. "I think you are."
She looked into the mirror for a long moment as she used one finger to press against her skin and make ripples in the patterns under her skin. She looked from the mirror to him and back several times then. "Our patterns aren't the same, but the colours are."
Harry stepped close to her and put his arm around her shoulders. She could feel his Resonance vibrate through her as they slipped into Harmony, and their patterns in the mirror synchronized and grew more vivid.
"Apart, we're who we are. Your Resonance is your own, the way your magical signature is your own. Together..."
"Together we're greater than the sum of our parts." She finished quietly, as she tucked the mirror into her pocket. She turned into him and pulled his head down to hers. She kissed him tenderly and passionately for a long moment, and when she was done he tacked a tender one on the end.
She found his hand and they resumed their walk toward the castle. Harry thought she looked like there was something she wanted to tell him, but she didn't, so he shoved it to the back of his mind to ask her later. She looked disappointed to let go of her Resonance as her eyes shifted back to normal once they were inside the castle. The crowd in the Great Hall had dropped into buzzed whispers the moment they entered the room.
"Hey, where have you two been? Out for a soar again?" Neville asked when they sat at their usual spot in the Great Hall.
"Talking to the dragons. What's going on this time?" Harry asked.
"The usual." Luna said sadly. "You're a Dark Wizard because you can talk to dragons, which means Hermione must be a Dark Witch because she can too."
"Yeah, only nobody else knows she can, so she's just Dark by association." Neville frowned. "Stupidness."
Luna suddenly grinned and clapped. "Yay! That means I'm a Dark Witch by association too! Grr!" She curled her hands into claws and bared her teeth in a grimace as she looked up the table and said "Grr! Fear my Dark Witchyness! Grr!"
Harry staggered back from the table, the back of his left hand on his forehead. "Aaugh! The Dark Witchyness is too strong!" He cried as he mimed being inexorably pulled against his will, "I can't fight it anymore! It's just..." He took a step toward Luna, "Too..." He took another step toward Luna, melodramatically fighting his own movement, "Adorable!" He swept her into a huge hug, lifted her off the bench and spun her around before he set her down again. Luna giggled.
Hermione clapped at the display, and was strangely echoed by the far end of the table. The Weasley twins were on their feet and they clapped as well.
"Encore! Encore!" One of them shouted.
"Dark Witchyness rules!" The other one agreed.
The applause was taken up by the Hufflepuff table, who started cheering as well, and the Ravenclaw table, where most of the Beauxbatons students who knew Luna personally laughed and clapped at the display.
Harry and Luna missed it while they took their bows, but at the head table Dumbledore's smug grin slowly drooped into a frown. He got up and left the Great Hall after he paused to whisper to Professor McGonagall.
By the time the meal was over the whispers of Dark wizardry were forgotten, but the whispers of Dark Witchyness remained, usually followed by laughter. When the meal had vanished and plates were empty, Professor McGonagall rose and moved to the lectern.
"Just one quick announcement before you all rush off." She began, "As is tradition during years when the TriWizard Tournament is taking place, Hogwarts will this year be hosting the Yule Ball on December twenty-fifth, to begin at six pm. Dinner and dancing, festivities conclude at eleven pm. The ball is restricted to those fourth year and above, unless invited by a student eligible to attend. That is all."
Professor McGonagall left the lectern then. Harry stood immediately, only to sink to one knee before Hermione.
"Would you do me the honour of accompanying me to the Yule Ball as my date?" His face held trepidation and hope as he said the words.
Thankfully, she smiled and nodded with something akin to relief written on her features, and she turned to stand and hug him. "Yes!"
Harry sighed into the warmth and comfort of her arms. "Thank you. I didn't want to assume." He whispered as he held her close.
"You could have, but I like that you didn't. Thank you." She kissed his neck and sent a shiver through him.
As they let go of each other, they could see students from all over the Great Hall making their ways to other tables to ask for dates. Fred and George split up and went to opposite sides of the table to ask Alicia and Angelina to be their dates, and both ladies graciously accepted. Cedric copied Harry and dropped to one knee in front of Fleur, and a line of girls formed in front of Viktor. He bowed to them and left the Great Hall.
"Didn't think I'd be starting a frenzy." Harry whispered to Hermione. "Must be because the most desirable witch in the school is already going with me. Everyone else is scrambling for their second choices."
Hermione shoved her shoulder into his chest playfully as a blush bloomed in her cheeks. "See you two at Study Group." She told Neville and Luna, then grabbed his hand and led him from the hall.
"Study group isn't for another hour yet." He noted.
"I know." She said perfunctorily. She had a look of grim determination on her face as she dragged him into the entry hall.
"Well I suppose we can grab our stuff and hang out at the libr-" He didn't even get to finish before Hermione jerked open a door and stuffed him through it. She pulled her wand out and locked and sealed the door behind them. Wherever they were, there was no light in the room, so Harry Resonated and pushed his magic into his eyes. He felt Hermione start to Resonate, and watched her eyes change as well. She looked around them, sizing up the space they were in.
It was a broom closet.
"Mmm. Yes, this will do." She purred, then looked him in the eyes. "No Resonating, no eye-changing. That's cheating."
"I don't know what game this is, but I like it." He smiled at her. "Alright, no cheating." He stopped Resonating and the room went back to darkness. He felt her stop Resonating a moment later, just before he felt her front press against his front and her arms snaked around his neck. She was deliciously soft against his chest, and he was very conscious what she pressed against him. His body reacted as it always did, and he tried to move his hips away from her to spare them the embarrassment, but she pushed against him until he was up against some low shelf and his hips wouldn't go back any further. She still crushed herself against him, up against his embarrassing hardness, and moaned into his mouth as she kissed him. It felt so good to have her warmth against him. He unconsciously ground himself against her as fireworks exploded in his head.
He reached his hands around her waist and slowly slid them downward over the curves of her behind. She kissed him deeper, she opened her lips and flicked his lips with her tongue as if to demand his tongue come out to play. He gently squeezed the muscles of her behind at the same time he reached out to slide his tongue along hers. She groaned into his mouth again and ground herself against his erection, as though upset she could find no purchase with which to climb him. She pulled his head down to her as she wrapped her arms tighter around his neck. Her mouth opened all the way and their teeth clashed gently as their tongues explored each other's mouths. One of his hands slid upward, under her shirt and traced a line up her spine to her bra strap. She shivered all over and sucked on each of his lips individually, then his tongue. She nibbled his lips as well and ground herself against him as he kneaded her behind.
He left her behind alone then, and she made a disappointed noise, until he pulled her shirt out of her skirt and wrapped his hands around her naked ribs. She gasped and growled in her throat at the new sensation as his hands explored her bare skin from her spine to her navel. He felt her arms move from his neck, her hands slid down his shoulders and arms to his ribs as she pulled his shirt out of his pants. Her hands went up his shirt and caressed his bare chest and sides. She grasped his behind and pulled his hips into her as she kissed him and ground her warm softness against him. One of her hands flitted between their bodies and started to glide up and down his erection.
He became aware too late that it had begun to feel too good, and he recognized the point of no return as he flew past it. He reached up to grab her shoulders, but it only excited her more and she groaned as she pushed against him.
"Hermio-" He tried to say something, to let her know, but it was too late. White-hot pleasure surged through his brain and stiffened his body as he was helpless but to thrust against her while he groaned.
She must have felt the change in him - or maybe he'd bitten her lip as he bit his own, either way she released her hold on him.
"Was that... " She panted, "Did you... That was amazing." She whispered. "No more broom closets. Next time I want to see that."
Harry finally relaxed as the spasm ended and he kissed her forehead. "You are amazing. You feel so good I can't even begin to say."
"So do you." She relaxed against him, and touched the rapidly softening front of his pants. He heard her sniff. "This is your..."
"Sorry. I need to... I should go change. I couldn't... sorry." He said softly, embarrassment stealing most of his voice. It was a good thing it was dark and she couldn't see how red his face was.
"Brilliant." She whispered, almost to herself. She pulled his head down to kiss him again, this time softly, her lips filled with tenderness and closeness. Harry held her face and returned it in kind, and hoped she could feel how completely awestruck she made him feel.
"I have to go change, I'll meet you at Study Group?" He asked her softly.
He could almost feel her pout. "Alright. I'd rather skip it and do this again, but I suppose we did make a commitment."
He pulled his wand out and Disillusioned himself. "Ready?" He asked her. He could hear her tuck her shirt back in and arrange her skirt.
"Ready." She said.
Harry opened the door and was gratified to see her face was very nearly as red as his felt. She took a couple of deep breaths, and headed off to Study Group.
Kreacher popped into the room, eyes wide and mouth open. He didn't even frown or sneer or make a snide comment.
"M - master..." The old elf stammered, "Pretty elf..."
Another elf popped into the room next to Kreacher almost silently. It was easily the tallest elf he'd ever seen, and her ears were straight and flat against her head.
"Lord Black, a pleasure to meet you again." The elf said.
"I'm sorry, have we met?" He'd definitely remember it if they had, the elf was unique.
The elf smiled at him and bowed slightly. "Yes, Lord Black. I did not look like this at the time. Missus Hermione accepted me into her family and this is the result."
"Oh! You're pretty elf! Welcome, welcome! I have to say that is a hell of a change, I've never seen an elf like you are now. What can we do for you?"
"I appreciate the nickname, Lord Black. I was instructed not to give names last time, but that is not the case anymore. My name is Lammy. I have a letter for you from Mister Harry." She gestured and a sealed letter simply appeared in his lap.
He picked up the letter like it was fragile and precious and held it to his chest. For a moment, he forgot she was there.
"Uh, thank you. Lammy. Please thank Harry for me, I'll write back shortly."
Lammy nodded once. "Just call for me, I will deliver your letter. Kreacher would not be able to."
He smiled at her. What a wonderful elf. "My thanks, Lammy."
"You're welcome." Lammy said, and vanished with a very faint pop.
"Lammy..." Kreacher said reverently as he ambled out of the room.
Sirius opened the letter and read hungrily.
Dear Sirius,
Sorry this has taken so long. After we met things kind of got busy and I sort of forgot everything else for a bit. Let's see... Oh yeah! I went and told Neville when we got back to the castle after leaving you in Hogsmeade, and he was over the moon. He keeps calling me 'little brother' now, which is great. It's like being with Darcy and Argie again. It's weird how things you put up with in one environment you start to miss in another.
After that, on Halloween, they announced the champions for the Triwizard Tournament. Three students (who had to be of age, according to the Ministry) were chosen - and then my name came out of the Goblet of Fire as well. So there are four champions this time. I didn't put my name in, nor did I ask anyone else to do it for me, yet my name came out all the same. Hermione said it was a trap, and she wasn't wrong. I was quite put out by that, as were both of the other schools and the other - legitimate - champions.
I thought that being forced to compete in a tournament that was only for of age students might be the Ministry tacitly admitting that I'm of age, so I wrote to my accounts manager at Gringott's - Kneescythe is his name - to ask if there was any way to have that legitimized. He wrote back with the forms, and I filled them out, but he says I'll need someone to file them at the Ministry before it's official. Could I impose upon you to do that? If not, that's okay too, I can do it over Christmas break. Hermione and I have to go there anyway to register and get our Apparation licenses. I know we're not supposed to start learning that until seventh year, but we're working our way through 6th and 7th year in our spare time because otherwise school would be boring.
Speaking on not being bored at school, we also now have a white phoenix as part of the family. Lammy popped in to our room one day holding a dead, frozen phoenix - Fawkes, Dumbledore's familiar - so Hermione did some quick research on them and found that they come back to life after they burn themselves, so we took it to a courtyard and breathed fire on it, and thankfully that worked, there was a baby Fawkes alive in the ashes, but he'd turned white with blueygreen accents instead of red and orange. Have you ever heard of a white phoenix? We couldn't find any references to any.
That was the same day Lammy changed too. Hermione was very anti-house elves before that because she thought they were kept as slaves, but Lammy managed to convince her that wasn't the case, so once Hermione agreed, we bound Lammy and then she changed... Well, you'll see it. Honestly between you and me I'm really scared I've done serious harm to both Fawkes and Lammy and I hope they're alright. They don't seem to be hurting, I mean they're both happy and healthy, so... I dunno??
After that, three weeks after I think? We had our Defense Professor go mental and teach a class on the Unforgivables, and he cast all three of them in the classroom! I may just be a bumpkin from the Hebrides, but even I know you can't do that. I got Hermione to call Susan's aunt Amelia Bones to the school, and she arrested him, and then his face started bubbling and he turned into someone else! He wasn't Alastor Moody at all, he was someone named Barty Crouch Junior, and he was a Death Eater! Too many coincidences if you ask me. Hermione agrees, we think that someone or a group of someones is aiming to do me ill, so we're being extremely cautious. Lammy checks all our food and drink as well, as there have been potions and things in it.
In addition to that, someone altered the memories of the youngest Weasley - a girl by the name of Jenny. Whoever it was changed her memories to include me getting her pregnant in a broom closet. Her older brother Ronald then challenged me to a duel during breakfast. As Jenny is thirteen, I didn't hold it against him, I'd have done the same thing. Two other Weasleys though - twins named George and Fred - are decent blokes. They have your Marauder's map and have known my real name from the time I started. They'd love to meet you, by the way. Fred and George think their dad will want to have a meeting with me as Heads of House over Christmas, so if you're free could I ask you to come along? I don't exactly know what I'm doing, I won't even pick up my Lord's ring until the 19th when we get off the train.
Last week Hermione and I were out flying and we found dragons in the forbidden forest, along with an army of handlers, and sure enough that's what our first task of the tournament was. We had to get a golden egg from the nest of a mother dragon. Thankfully everyone was successful and mostly unscathed. I had a great conversation with mine. She was a Horntail named Langelet, and she was surprised and happy to make a new friend instead of facing a threat to her nest. That was yesterday. Today they announced the Yule Ball, and I asked Hermione to be my date. If you're free the week before Christmas, could I impose on you for some advice on what to wear? I'm hearing that formal robes are expected, but as for what looks good? What's stylish? I'm an absolute spanner.
After Hermione and I visit Gringott's on the 19th we'll know better then what's going on, but I also intend to have you to dinner sometime over Christmas if you're alright with that. I have to take Hermione to visit Mother and the MacFustys, so it'll probably be the 27th or so. As I said, when I know more I'll send a proper invitation.
Thanks for any help you can offer, hope you're well,
-Harry.
Help! The lad wanted his help! And Christmas! A giggle leapt out of him before he could keep it down. He didn't remember standing, but he was out of his chair, and he raced down the stairs to the front hall.
"I'm going out for a bit, darling, don't wait up!" He called into the house before he closed the door behind him. Another chuckle escaped him just before he Apparated to Gringott's.
"I warned you, Albus."
"Yes, Phineus, I'm aware, thank you."
"How is the Greater Good of Wizarding Britain served by you weakening yourself?"
"It's temporary. I have a plan to get the wand back."
"Fawkes isn't temporary, Albus. You killed the ignorant thing and destroyed your own binding ritual. It was an annoying chicken, but it did provide you a good deal of power."
Dumbledore sighed. Of course Phineus was right, and he'd practically cut his left arm off with just a single childish bout of anger. Reduced his own power and given up an emergency escape route as well. He should have stuck his face in his memories of how damnably difficult it was to bind the bloody bird in the first place. That would have calmed him down.
"Do you have a point Phineus, or are you just saying 'I told you so' to be smug?"
"Of course there's a point, Albus. To whom do you think you are speaking? The point is that circumstances are spiraling out of control. What is your plan to bring the boy to heel?"
"I need more information, Phineus. I need it. I don't know what the boy is capable of yet. I had nothing to do with his childhood, so he could even be a well-adjusted Alpha for all I know. He grows closer to the dirt-vein by the day, and I thought that would put him in the bag immediately. I've had the Elves dose both of them with a variety of potions on a daily basis, and neither of them exhibit any signs they've had any effect at all. The only thing I have left at the moment is threatening the girl with expulsion, magic binding and wand-snapping to provoke him into pulling the wand so I can take it from him."
"Hm. Both tactically sound." Phineus replied, and stayed silent for a time. "Are you sure the boy uses the wand? Carries it with him?"
"No." Dumbledore grumbled. "It's a calculated risk."
"Well, you know you can't Legilimens the little shit. At least you always have the last-ditch option of Obliviating the bollocks off him and making him a pliable little sacrifice." Phineus offered helpfully.
"A fair point. I'm certain he and the filth-blood will be spending Christmas together. When they return I think the time will be ripe to confront them. If nothing comes of it, she'll be dead by March in any case. I'll have to Obliviate the parents, not that they seem to care what happens to her in the first place." Dumbledore smiled. Uncaring parents were his favourite kind.
"Fucking muggles. Just kill them and prevent any further contamination." Phineus frowned.
"Too messy. Too much work. I don't have the bird to keep me young anymore."
"I suppose." Phineus sighed. "How are you going to kill the shit-vein? I know you said the Second Task, but how exactly?" He leaned forward inside his frame.
Dumbledore smiled as he sat back in his chair. "You'll enjoy this. The Champions are to have their most precious possession taken the night before - not a thing, mind you, but the person they'll miss the most. This person will be placed under stasis charm and tied under the surface of the black lake. For the others, it will function perfectly. I'm casting it myself, after all. Dirt-vein's will wear off after an hour and our little lamb will desperately rescue a corpse."
"Yes... That will definitely induce enough adolescent emotion to isolate him some. Take care to keep his friends away from him after, you don't want them lifting his spirits - and you might want to make yourself scarce. From what you've told me, he's no simpleton. He'll come looking for you."
"I just happen to have inescapable ICW business for two weeks following the Second Task." Dumbledore steepled his fingers with a self-satisfied smile.
"Of course you do." Phineus chuckled. "And that will leave the lamb to stew in his own juices. With luck he'll push his friends away himself. Nicely done."
"And, as you say, if worse becomes worst, then I'll simply ambush the brat and and wipe his mind except for a driving desire to find and destroy Tom Riddle."
"For the Greater Good." Phineus intoned with a nod.
"For the Greater Good." Dumbledore agreed.
Harry leaned over and kissed Hermione softly on her cheek, her temple, her nose, her chin, and then her lips as she woke and turned to face him.
"Good morning," She smiled dreamily at him, then snuggled under his neck like a cat burrowing under a blanket.
He kissed the other side of her face and neck and made her giggle. She covered her neck with her arm, but it was too late. She was already awake.
"Next week we get to stay in bed as long as we want." He said in a low rumble as she turned on her back and looked up at him.
"Mmmm." She hummed contentedly and threw her arm over his head and kissed him soundly. "Alright, I'm up." She sighed finally. "That is a lovely way to wake, my Chocolate Sweetheart."
Harry grinned and rumbled in his chest, then buried his nose in her neck for more kisses. "Chocolate Sweetheart." He gave her one last kiss on the neck and then sat up.
Fawkes trilled from his perch near the dresser as if to say good morning, and they both left the bed to give him some attention. They stroked his feathers while he puffed up his chest and butted their hands with his head.
"Good morning you too, Fawkes." Hermione smiled.
"How was your night? Get enough to eat?" Harry asked him. Fawkes opened his wings and sang fiercely, which made them both smile. "Good, glad you're doing well. If you need anything, just say so, right?"
Fawkes chirped, and they felt gradients of emotions that emanated from the bird. Happiness, friendship, pride, and contentment.
Harry dressed quickly and nipped to the kitchens while Hermione was in the shower, as was their usual routine. He showered while she got dressed and fussed with her hair, and because he was faster in the shower than she was, they ate breakfast together after he was dressed.
They hadn't even reached the second floor on their way to first period Transfiguration when Fred and George intercepted them in the hall.
"Do mine eyes deceive me, Gred? Or is the sun now hiding from the darkest witch and wizard ever to walk the land?"
"No, I believe you may be correct, Forge - either that or we're in Scotland. Much the same thing though, really."
"Morning gents." Harry cut through the banter. "What can we do for you?"
"Ah, yer Dark Majesties, it's what we can do for you." Gred said.
Forge handed Harry a letter with DUNCAN MACFUSTY written on the front. "Dear old dad sent that this morning with instructions to deliver so here we are, ever the dutiful scions."
"Oh." Harry smiled. "Thanks for that then." He took the letter and pocketed it for later. "How is your sister?"
"Ginny's better now," Gred said, "Doesn't think she's preggers anymore."
"I was less concerned with her memories than her health, actually. She wasn't...?"
"Oh, no." Forge grinned. "No, she's alright. It was just her memories. Healer gave her a potion to help with the discombobulation after it was removed and she was right as rain by dinner. A little sad it wasn't true, completely embarrassed by the whole thing of course, but she'll be fine."
"Good, I'm glad. Thanks for that too." Harry smiled.
"Were they able to discover who did it to her?" Hermione asked.
Both twins shook their heads.
"No leads, unfortunately." Gred said.
"Part of the alteration was devoted to erasing who had done it, so there's no possibility." Forge explained.
"That's what the layers were for!" Hermione grimaced. "I should have guessed."
"Thank you for even bothering to scan her, Dark Mistress. Nobody else would have, especially not with stupid spouting his mouth off." Gred said.
"Far as we're concerned we owe you for that, so if there's anything we can do for you, just say the word." Forge nodded.
"Knock off the Dark Majesty nonsense and we'll call it even." Hermione frowned.
"Umm... does that include Luna too?" Gred asked.
"That's up to Luna." Hermione replied.
"Okay good. Dark Witchyness is too cute." Forge grinned.
"Thanks again, you two. See you at Study Group." Gred smiled and started back the way they'd come.
"See you later, guys." Harry and Hermione both waved as the twins strode back down the hall.
"Is it just me, or is it weird how those two are normal and their brother only two years younger is a completely lazy lackwit?"
"No, no - it's weird. The twins have a little too much personality for my taste, but you can't deny they study hard and learn. Ronald would have had to see that growing up as well, so it makes no sense at all." Hermione shrugged. "Still want to kill him, by the way."
"Me too. Every time I think about that vacant-eyed arsewipe and what he's done and said to you, I want to push his face out the other side of his skull."
"Excellent visual." Hermione kissed his cheek. "May I read your letter?"
"Of course." Harry handed it to her. "The only secrets I have from you are things like your birthday plans or anything I want to surprise you with. You... are alright with that, aren't you?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I be?" She frowned.
Harry shrugged. "I've never shared my life with anyone before. I don't know if it might be too much too soon for you, or too little too slowly. If we don't ask, we won't know, and that might lead to fights. I don't want to fight with you, it's supposed to be me and you against everyone else, isn't it?"
Hermione reached out to cup his cheek and looked into his eyes. "No, you're absolutely right. I'm sorry, Dunc. I'll try to tell you more what I'm thinking and feeling and try to stop living in my own head so much. It is me and you against everyone else. I hope you're... comfortable with me?"
Harry smiled into her eyes. "Even with broom closet embarrassment."
Hermione's face went red almost immediately.
"You are so cute when you blush." He whispered to her as he kissed her. "Never stop."
Hermione cleared her throat and started to walk down the hall toward class as she pulled the letter open. By the time they reached the classroom, her blush had dwindled to a pleasant pink across her cheekbones.
She handed him the letter back as they took their seats.
"Is it bad?" He asked.
She shook her head and made her curls bounce. "Just... strange. Like whatever the twins told their father made him afraid for the wellbeing of his family."
"Oh. I suppose I did sort of threaten them with a blood feud at the start of the year."
"You did what?!" Hermione said in a loud whisper.
"I was angry. That was that first night, right after Ronald -"
"Oh. Yes, I imagine that might've made an impression." She conceded.
"The words 'ball of white fire' might have been used." Harry said sheepishly.
"You didn't!" She whispered.
"Shiteater had just boasted about what he'd done to you. You bet your beautiful arse I did."
She pulled him down and whispered in his ear, "That's another snog you're getting tonight. Read your letter." Then she let him go and busied herself taking out her textbook and notes and quill and parchment.
Harry just smiled at her and opened the letter.
Head of House Weasley
To
Head of House MacFusty
I greet you in the spirit of peace, in pursuit of peace despite recent events that have been the opposite of peaceful.
My twin sons have informed me just this moment of the events which threaten the peace between our two Houses, and I seek to meet with you under a flag of Truce so that we may discuss how to ensure peace between us.
I propose to meet December twenty-eighth at one pm within one of the conference rooms at Gringott's. As Neutral Territory, Gringott's will not allow the presence of wands within the conference rooms, so that we may both be at ease.
Awaiting your reply,
Arthur, Head of House Weasley
Harry thought that worked out rather well, actually. He and Hermione would have time to relax after the Yule Ball, visit Mother and MacFustys, and have dinner with Sirius before they sat down to House business. It would also give him time to research what was expected of a Head of House and how he ought to behave.
He started to jot down a tentative timeline for the holidays, but left off when Professor McGonagall entered the room and class began.
"So, I figure the nineteenth is definitely spoken for, with the train ride and then meetings at Gringott's and then maybe finding a room at the Leaky or wherever if there aren't any Potter properties." Harry said.
"That seems sound. If there are, we could use the rest of that day to get acquainted with the place in any case. Explore the grounds and familiarize ourselves with the wards and such. Same thing goes if we're in a hotel, we could explore the area and maybe do a little shopping." Hermione agreed.
Harry nodded and noted down her suggestion about exploring. "Then the twentieth I thought we could hit the Ministry in the morning and test for our Apparation licenses. That gets it out of the way and lets us move around faster for the rest of the holidays."
"Good thinking."
"I don't have anything for the twenty-first or twenty second, they're still open, but Kneescythe might want us at Gringott's again. I thought the twenty-third you might want to get together with Luna and go to Diagon or Harrod's or wherever you want to go for dresses for the ball. I thought I might ask Nev if he wants to come along while I go looking for something nice so I don't look stupid next to you."
"That sounds good as well. I'm still very unhappy with spending your money -"
"It's our money, Hermione. We're married, remember?"
She bit her lip and frowned, but nodded.
"Besides, it's not like you aren't rich as well. You could probably go buy yourself a mansion with the 'pretty things' Lammy gave you for your birthday."
She seemed to relax somewhat then. "Okay, that's a fair point."
Harry nodded, and noted the whole of the twenty-third for shopping and friends. "The twenty-fourth we're invited to dinner at the MacFusty's, but I thought we could spare an hour or so before that to visit Mother if you're alright with that?"
Hermione shot off the loveseat and squeezed him in a hug. "I can really meet Mother?"
"Of course. Mother's blood is in both of us now. Besides, she'll be the only person who would have answers to the questions you might have about the new you. I don't know enough about..." He looked at the floor and blushed slightly, "Girl things..."
"Oh. Yes, I did have a couple of questions, actually." Hermione flopped back on the loveseat.
"Good, so that's the twenty-fourth then. Christmas day will be just us, presents and breakfast and warm snuggles and good stuff. If you want to meet up with Luna and the three of you can do your hair or whatever you wanted to do, there's plenty of time for that before we Apparate to Hogwarts for the Ball."
"That would be nice. I'm sure Luna would appreciate it. I have you and Lammy, but Luna only has her father and I'm fairly certain he's not a hairstylist."
"I'm not a hairstylist either, I just have mean older sisters." Harry grinned.
"Either way, I love it when you french braid my hair. Surprised the life out of me, that did." Hermione smiled back.
Harry's cheeks tinted a little red. "I like how it looks when you take it out."
Hermione took silent note of that for later.
Harry cleared his throat. "Anyway, after the Yule Ball we'll probably want to relax and sleep in on the twenty-sixth, and then maybe visit your parents, unless you think we should do that earlier on the twenty-fourth?"
Hermione's smile fell, but not quite into a frown. "No, the twenty-sixth would be fine. I should probably write them tonight and let them know I won't be spending the holidays with them. In any case, we may not stay long on the twenty-sixth depending on their attitudes. You might want to kill them before too long."
"Oh?" Harry raised his eyebrows.
"They aren't abusive like Ronald, but I learned before I ever got to Hogwarts that my parents' idea of parenting is to 'encourage me to be a strong, independent person' by basically ignoring my existence."
"Yes, I can see that leading to some... friction." Harry scowled.
"Thank you for getting angry on my behalf Harry." Hermione soothed, "But it's best if you just leave them to me. Get angry if you have to, but I'll handle them. They've done such a great job 'parenting' that I have no qualms about leaving there and never going back."
Harry nodded to her. "Understood. I'll do my best." He tried to reassure her with a smile. "Twenty-seventh I thought we could have dinner with Sirius, maybe get to know him a little more. I've asked for his - well, you read the letter."
She smiled at him. "We'll see what kind of person he is in a social environment and whether he really cares? That's what you were going to say?"
Harry grinned at her. "I love your brain."
"I love yours." She blew a kiss at him. "Who else would make a schedule for the holidays with colour coded events?"
"You." Harry replied.
"Must be why I love that you are." She stuck her tongue out at him and then grinned.
"Twenty-eighth at one we have the meeting with Weasleys, and maybe Sirius if he wants to come. Twenty-ninth and thirtieth are also free, and then Nev invited us to New Year's party at his Gran's place. That leaves the first for sleeping in and cuddling before the train, and then we're back here the second. Although, at that point if we have our licenses, we won't need to be on the train anymore."
"It's good." Hermione got off the loveseat and walked over to the table where Harry was, and sat in his lap. She picked up a coloured pencil that hadn't been used in the schedule, and coloured in the whole of the schedule that was left free, then in the legend assigned that colour to 'snogging'.
"There." She said proudly. "Now it's perfect."
Harry added a box to the schedule that said "Now" and coloured that in the snogging colour. "Looks like it's that time already." He pointed to the legend.
"Well, we can't go against the schedule, who knows what we could throw off in the future?" Hermione adjusted her seat on his lap to straddle him and pressed her lips against his.
Harry deepened their kiss and touched her bare skin at the waistband of her jeans. She moaned into his mouth... and then Fawkes began to sing of love in overblown, grandiose tones.
Hermione broke the kiss and scowled at the bird.
"Fawkes, come on, man!" Harry complained.
Fawkes sang laughter in pure notes that echoed around the room.
They couldn't help but chuckle as well, and got up to give the bird some attention. They had just slid one hand into the back pocket of each other's jeans when Lammy popped in.
"Sorry to interrupt..." Lammy said.
"You're not interrupting, Lammy. Fawkes already did that." Hermione pouted at the chuckling bird.
"Besides, if Chuckles over here gets to demand some love, so do you." Harry held Hermione's hand and they both scooped Lammy up into a group hug.
"Yay!" Lammy hugged them back, "Hugs are the best!" Fawkes, not to be outdone, perched on Harry's shoulder and enfolded all of them in his wings.
"Yay for family hugs." Hermione said a trifle wistfully.
"Plenty more where these came from. I think this is the beginning of a great family." Harry smiled at her lovingly.
Fawkes sang his agreement and flew back to his perch so Harry and Hermione could set Lammy down again.
"Mister Sirius sent a letter for you." Lammy said with a huge grin and pointed to the table where the letter lay.
"Thanks, Lammy." Harry gave her shoulder a quick squeeze and went to pick up the letter.
Dear Duncan,
Congratulations, kiddo! You're no longer a kiddo. Kneescythe is quite the manager, he had everything all laid out when I got there. He only needed someone to go file things at the Ministry, so I did that nice and late, just as the department was closing. Slipped your paperwork in when they couldn't be bothered to look at it twice, and just like that you're an adult.
I will admit that part of me wonders if it's the right thing to do, declaring you an adult at fourteen. Then I remember what you've been through and the fact that you are very clearly capable and responsible. Honestly, probably a great deal moreso than your father or me at your age. Merlin, probably moreso than your father and me when we were seventeen if I'm being really honest.
I've started poking around the Ministry regarding your troubles with the Triwizard, but nothing has come up yet. I hesitate to say it, but while I'm being honest (it doesn't happen much, really!) there's an undercurrent to your letter that whispers Dumbledore at me, and I don't like it. Especially the fact that his phoenix mysteriously froze to death. The fact that Fawkes hasn't simply gone back to Dumbledore disturbs me more than I can say. I don't want to pry any more than you're willing to let me, but I'd love to talk about it over Christmas.
Speaking of which, I would be delighted to help you choose something snazzy to impress Hurmionee? Hermayoni? with. And give whatever help and advice I can in your meeting with Arthur, if what the twins say comes to pass. Your father and I fought alongside Arthur and Molly (The Weasleys) in the first war against Voldemort. They were solid. I haven't thought about that old map in years! It took us a long time to get that finished. Those were happier days.
Still can't believe you just waltzed up to a Horntail and had a pleasant conversation. I would have loved to see the looks on everyone's faces! Ha!
Looking forward to talking more once you're settled for the holidays. Let me know where you're staying, I might know more about the place than you!
Stay safe,
Sirius.
Harry picked Hermione up in a huge hug and spun her around, then kissed her exuberantly when he dropped her back on her feet.
"Good news?" She asked sardonically. Harry just handed her the letter.
"Does this mean we're both adults now?" She asked when she'd finished.
Harry grinned. "I'm pretty sure we were both adults already because it's illegal for minors to marry anyone, including an adult. Magic recognized us as married though, so I'm pretty sure we already were, but yeah. Registered at the Ministry now, so we both definitely are and nobody can say anything."
Hermione grinned and touched her nose to his as she tousled his hair. "That will make things easier -" She stopped and her face fell into a frown. She put the tip of her thumb in her mouth and worried at it with her teeth.
"What is it?" Harry asked, instantly concerned.
"We can't leave Britain now. We'll have to stay unless we go to Norway or something where the age of majority is lower. We're adults here because of the laws, but if we go to France or Germany or somewhere we won't be. We'd be at the mercy of in loco parentis again."
"Hmm. Let's research that when we go there on the twentieth. If we can get some kind of paperwork that says we're legally adults to take with us, that should suffice, shouldn't it? I mean, we're only going to be foreign students, it's not like we're moving there permanently. Even if we do decide to move there permanently, we can do that when we're of age. Right now it's just about escaping the Hogwarts shitshow."
Hermione stopped chewing her thumb again and brightened. "No, you're right, that should be the case. I was thinking permanently, but it is only about finishing school, unless we like it wherever we go enough to make it permanent."
"Would you rather live somewhere it was always warm or always cold?" Harry asked.
"Hm." Hermione looked at him, and flopped onto the loveseat again. "I've never thought about it. Nobody's ever asked me anything like that before." She smiled at him, and thought about it out loud. "I like the snow, but I hate the cold, but I don't get cold anymore thanks to you... I like the idea of us being in a warm, cozy chalet buried deep in the snow. At the same time though, I've had enough of grey and rain to last a lifetime, and would love to be able to just walk down a path from our house to the ocean. Somewhere there's sunshine all the time except during the occasional storm. Bright, clear turquoise water and white sand... I don't think I'd be able to answer that question until I - we - have lived at both places. What's your answer?"
"Oh I don't have an answer. I never even knew there were places like that until Argie showed me pictures. Farthest I've ever gone was London. I suppose my answer would have to be... wherever you are." He shrugged and smiled at her. "I think it would be kinda fun to go lots of places and see how we like them though. Even if we don't have a lot of money to work with, we can both fly, we can transfigure and build a house wherever we want. I can hunt -"
"I can fish!" Hermione said excitedly. "I read a couple of books on how to build fish traps and crab traps and things. If we're somewhere with clear water, I can just levitate the fish!" She bounced off the loveseat again and sat in his lap. "I don't know why it makes me so excited. Just the idea of you and me alone, no money, just hunting and living together..."
"Want to start this summer? I want to stop by the place where Langelet lives in Romania to look for Mother's mate, but it's a huge forest, so you and me could..."
"Yes!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. "That sounds brilliant."
"What do you think, Fawkes? Fancy a bit of travel this summer?" Harry asked over Hermione's hair.
Fawkes stretched his neck upward and spread his wings and sang of freedom and adventure.